Motorcycle and scooter MOT's

The Motorcycle Works in Peterborough undertake MOT's on all types of motorcycles and scooters, as well as classic bikes and scooters.

MOT's currently cost £25 per motorcycle. We specialise in MOT's for classic bikes and scooters and it is adviseable to book your bike in for an MOT by calling us first.

To save yourself some money, check out the basics below to make sure your bike will pass an MOT before you bring it to us. More than 25% of bikes fail MOT's because of bald tyres or broken lights!

SAVE YOURSELF SOME MONEY! CHECK YOUR BIKE IS IN ADEQUATE CONDITION TO PASS AN MOT.

LIGHTS

Of the 20% failure rate on bike MOT tests, over half are for defective lights. Quite amazing since these are amongst the simplest items to check yourself before going to the test.

HEADLIGHTS & TAIL LIGHTS must be free of chips or cracks; the headlight must also work on main and dip beam, the main beam must shine directly ahead and the dip slightly lower and to the left.

INDICATOR LIGHTS must all flash at a steady rate and the warning lights function properly. If a HAZARD WARNING SYSTEM is fitted, all 4 indicators must flash at a steady uniform rate.

Bikes must have a red REFLECTOR on the rear of the machine, either bolted on separately or as part of the tail light lens.

STEERING

The next highest fail rate is on steering, look at the test items below and if you’re in any doubt as to whether they will pass, consult a qualified service engineer.

With the front wheel raised off the ground the handlebar must not hit or foul the tank when the steering is fully turned lock to lock, the steering must move freely and without drag or notchiness. The handlebar must be securely mounted and the grips secure. With the fork sliders held, try to push and pull on the forks, there must be no play in the steering head bearings.

BRAKES

The examiner will:

Check the hoses for fluid leaks, bulges & cracking where the brakes are hydraulic. Or check the condition of cables and cable ends where cable brakes are used. Check disc brakes are securely mounted and free from cracks. Check ABS warning lights, where fitted. Check the wheel is free to rotate without brake drag in free-wheel. Check that brake pads/shoes are not worn beyond limits.

Check the rear brake torque arm is secure and that fasteners are secured by self-locking nuts or castellated nuts with split-pins or R-clips. Any brake drum holding bars or clips are securely fastened and have no play.

WHEELS & TYRES

Over one quarter of MOT test failures are due to worn tyres!! Worn tyres can kill! Here are the main items the examiner will check on the bike:

Cast wheels should be secure and free from cracks; similarly, spoked wheels will be checked for broken, corroded, loose or bent spokes. The tyre and wheel must run free in free-wheel nor must they foul the suspension or the mudguards. Worn wheel bearings will fail and the front and rear wheels will be checked for alignment. Tyres must be compatible, suitable for road use and, if fitted with a direction arrow, fitted to spin in the direction of forward wheel rotation.

Tyres will be checked for tread depth and condition as well as sidewall condition. There needs to be a MINIMUM of 1 mm of tread across more than 75% of the tyre’s surface area under current rules.

SUSPENSION

For the front suspension the examiner will check:

No oil leaks from anti-drive units. On bikes with swing-arm suspension, there must be no free play in the linkage when moved from side to side.

There should be no oil visible on the fork tube or leaking down the slider. The forks must be adequately dampened

At the rear, the checks will be:

No oil leaks around the shock absorber. No play in the swing-arm or suspension linkage bearings. Pivot bearings will be checked for wear. The shock absorber must give adequate damping.

EXHAUST

The decibel level will be assessed at the discretion of the tester, other checks are:

The exhaust mountings must be secure and not fouling any part of the rear suspension. The exhaust must not be holed and must be free from leaks from both joints and box(es). Replacements units, other than bikes registered before 01.Jan.1985, must have the BSAU 193 stamp.

FINAL DRIVE

The chain/belt must not have excessive slack and be in good condition, the guard must be secure and not fouling. On shaft drive bikes, the drive unit must be free from oil leaks. Both sprockets should be securely mounted and not excessively worn